Our back up anchorage was across the river at a place called Panther Creek. Wider and not as deep but still protected from most winds. We dropped the anchor in 14' of water at a location that still offered us a view of the channel. Once the engines were shut down the place came alive with the sounds of fish jumping and flocks of coots quacking as they enjoyed their afternoon gossip session.
We had the anchorage all to ourselves with the exception of an occasional stray fisherman. Dinner was grilled and enjoyed before we settled in to watch a movie. Now completely dark it came as a shock when lights as bright as headlights lit up the side of the boat! They only lasted for a couple of seconds and then we felt the wake hit us letting us know it was a passing boat. At first we thought it was another boat coming in to anchor but a look outside proved otherwise. A flat boat with three guys and enough lights to turn night into day was scouring the shoreline around the cove where we were anchored. Suddenly the banjo tune from Deliverance began playing in my head! They worked the shore for an hour before departing. Neither Pam or myself thought it would be proper to question them about what they were doing and so we live in mystery to this day.
10/26/11 Wednesday Today dawned as you would expect on a day when you have a short distance to travel. Clear as a bell! We enjoyed a Pam kind of morning before pulling anchor and travelling the 5 miles to Grand Harbor Marina. Once in our slip we both got to work. Pam with laundry and me with a badly needed washing of Tourist. Both tasks took us the better part of the afternoon before we were done.
Later after we were both cleaned up we were invited to cocktails on Joysea along with the crews from Southern Belle and Bavarian Cream. All fellow loopers who had opted not to attend the looper gathering at Joe Wheeler Park. (Just a note to say that Pam & I must be careful at this point. We run the risk of establishing an identity independent of "the other boat with Coconuts"!) We had a fun time before heading back to our respective boats for dinner.
As the gathering was breaking up I noticed a 60' Viking slip past the marina building. "I think I know that boat" I told Pam and went to check it out. No it wasn't Marv & Carol from Legacy Harbour in Florida, although the boat is the same model. This was Lindonia from Drummond Island, Michigan who we had met at Green Turtle Bay. Being the good dock boy that I am I went over to help them get tied up. Their plans were to spend the night before heading down the Tenn-Tom in the morning.
10/27/11 Thursday With a forecast of rain and possible thunderstorms predicted for the afternoon only one boat left the marina. Our friends on Lindonia decided to stay another night and plans were made for dinner after cocktails. Most of the day was spent doing the little things you always put off, like renewing the boat insurance!
Our slip faced the channel and offered us a great view of any traffic heading towards or from the Tombigbee.A few more boats came in that afternoon and by nightfall the place was almost full.
Speaking of nightfall we had cocktails on Lindonia and then jumped in the courtesy car in search of a rib place. The map on their website showed the location near Pickwick State Park, so off we went. We drove & drove & drove. Hmmm! OK so I swallowed my pride and pulled in to ask for directions. Out of three guys in the convenience store, 2 had never heard of it and the third pointed us in the right direction. Turns out it is near Freddy T's. The complete other direction from the marina. We finally found it and went in. Only 4 people inside. Not a great sign. The final dagger came when we found that they didn't serve alcohol. Freddy T's here we come. Dinner was good and the company better! Before long we were winding our way back to the marina. Oh, the rain? So far a little drizzle but not the T-storms that were predicted.
10/28/11 Friday The rain came during the night and continued into our planned departure time. Around 9am it let up enough for us to set out towards Mobile. Only 450 miles away. Before long we were travelling down the Divide Cut that connects the Tennessee and Tombigbee Rivers.
We had an easy day of only 38 miles but it was cool enough to bring out the auxiliary heater on the bridge. We pulled in to a cove just above the Whitten Lock and dropped the anchor for the night. A great spot but a bit too cool to enjoy fully. Later we were joined by a sailboat from Michigan, S/V Freedom. Due to poor planning on my part we arrived early enough that I had to play Dominoes with Pam!
10/29/11 Saturday We awoke to what has become a normal morning occurrence. FOG! So thick that I could barely see Freedom anchored 100 yards away. Finally it lifted and we along with 4 other boats locked through Whitten Lock and dropped 83'. We travelled through four locks today and anchored above the Wilkins Lock along with Lindonia. The other boats opted to go into a marina.
10/30/11 Sunday Happy Birthday Reba!!!
Guess what? Fog!!! The radio was alive with chatter between the boats. The boats in the marina wanted to know what visibility was like where we were. Could we see the lock? Did it look like it was lifting? etc. etc. At about 8:30 we decided to go. The fog was lifting but not completely. We only had to travel about 300 yards and we were in the lock. The other boats came in and we locked down. When they opened the gates there was a little fog but not enough to hold us up.
We led the parade downstream through swampy areas that were created when the dams were built.
As we approached Aberdeen Lock I noticed a familiar boat ahead of us. One that we had first encountered in June in Waterford, NY. at the start of the Erie Canal. The homemade S/V Lollygag. As fast as we can go and as slow as they go and here we are, crossing paths again, 5 months later.
With the sun shining and a clear sky overhead we pulled into Columbus Marina for a 2 night stay. The familiar face of T. Caldwell was there to greet us with his usual banter. Later in the day we had cocktails on Tourist with Don & Lindy from Lindonia and out of the blue we were invited to their boat for a great dinner. All too soon it was time to call it a night. A big day was planned for Monday.
10/31/11 Monday Today is the day. Wal-Mart day! We had the courtesy van reserved for 10am. Before going to Wally World I helped Lindonia get away from the dock since they were continuing on. (I don't think they get the same thrill from Wal-Mart that we do!) Anyway we went and combed the aisles for the provisions we needed to make it to Mobile. Mission accomplished we came back to Tourist for the afternoon. Of course no stay at Columbus is complete without partaking of a BS session with T. Caldwell so off to the office I went.
Glad to see you practicing your social skills!!! We talked with COCONUTS at Ditto Landing on Sunday...they are headed your way. We are headed home this afternoon...TUMBLEWEED
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